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Name: Harry Jones
Email: hjones@ix.netcom.com
Age: 53
Occupation: Retired Executive
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Crystal-Harmony
SailingDate: Feb 3, 1998
Itinerary: Buenas Aires to Cape Horn and back
FoodDiningRoom: 97
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 92
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 94
FoodMidnightBuffets: 89
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 86
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 98
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 92
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 97
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities: 92
EntertShowLounge: 97
OverallPortsofCall: 91
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 94
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 96
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs: 92
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 96
ShopsOnBoard: 96
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Mar 1998
Time: 08:59:38
Remote Name: 204.237.150.13
Remote User:
Comments
This was a beautiful ship which handled the very rough waters off of Cape Horn extremely
well to the extent only a few
guests were reportedly seasick. Dining room food and service were outstanding, but being
forced to eat at the 6:15 early
sitting (late sitting too late) interfered with daily planning. The ship was full,
primarily due to 2for1 price and many
incentives (much shipboard credit and prepaid gratuities) to entice passengers on an
itinerary which which not overly
appealing. Even though it was "August" in Argentina, the weather was terrible
for the first 8 days. We were very lucky to
make it ashore at two of the four portcalls, due to rough seas in the harbors where
tenders were needed. Several days
the pool was closed and announcements were made to stay inside -- it was unsafe on deck in
unsheltered location. A
recent overhaul had put new treadmills and exercise bikes and equipment in the gym, which
was excellent, and the 1/4
promenade deck made for great power walks. The entertainment in the main lounge was
excellent, but I felt the room
became hot and it was not overly comfortable for the hour-plus shows. My biggest complaint
was over the buffet on the
Lido Deck, open at breakfast and lunch. The area for the buffet was too cramped to allow
the amount of traffic from
guests going to and fro with trays, standing in line at the omelet or pasta bar, and staff
going back and forth. You had a
passage way big enough for two people and always three trying to get through. Just not
well arranged for traffic flow at
all. Therefore, had lunch usually in the dining room which was fine. Breakfast in dining
room very slow when a cooked
meal was ordered. Solution for breakfast was to get to Lido early before the crowd. There
was one big special lunch
buffet on Lido which was a mobscene. There were lots of activities and lots of choices.
Good first run movies each shown
three times, and a number of lecturers, etc. I am convinced that the casino turned on the
slots to be generous the first
night and the last and set them on no-pay the rest of the cruise. The flight out of BA was
at 10PM, but the cruise line
provided a free day room (regular private hotel room) at a luxury hotel right downtown for
use from debarkation at 9AM
until the bus to the airport at 7PM. The average age of the passengers must have been well
into the 60s. There were no
children aboard other than two daughters of a ship's officer. I noted perhaps two guests
in the 20-30 age range, and
very few under 45. Many guests with wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc. No African-American
passengers. At formal night
about 30% of the men wore dark suits rather than tuxedos. Overall I was very pleased with
the cruise. The shore
excursions were a bit limited due to the ports visited and were priced a bit high. I would
cruise this ship and line again,
but would wait for a good deal on a more appealing itinerary.
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